{"title":"[Positive communication during pacemaker implantation in local anesthesia : Results of an interdisciplinary task force comprising a psychotherapist, German linguist and cardiac surgeon].","authors":"Katharina Tigges-Limmer, Dietmar Jacobs, Brigitte Osswald","doi":"10.1007/s00399-026-01178-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00399-026-01178-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Communication during medical interventions under local anesthesia is related with patient stress, and opportunities to reduce the stress are underestimated. There is no special training for medical students, and awareness within the medical community is lacking. For this reason, a psychotherapist, satire and comedy writer, and cardiac surgeon specializing in device therapy collaborated. Excerpts from their book published in 2022 are used to provide background of various situations, practical advice, and ways to avoid common pitfalls in communication.</p>","PeriodicalId":52403,"journal":{"name":"Herzschrittmachertherapie und Elektrophysiologie","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149225356","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Leon Iden, Martin Borlich, Stefano Bordignon, Andreas Rillig, Arian Sultan, David Duncker, Philipp Attanasio, Philipp Sommer, Till Althoff, Sascha Rolf, Heidi L Estner, Tilman Maurer, Henning Jansen, Christian-Hendrik Heeger, Micaela Ebert, Tilmann Dahme, Victoria Johnson, Daniel Steven
{"title":"[Fluoroscopic guidance in electrophysiological procedures].","authors":"Leon Iden, Martin Borlich, Stefano Bordignon, Andreas Rillig, Arian Sultan, David Duncker, Philipp Attanasio, Philipp Sommer, Till Althoff, Sascha Rolf, Heidi L Estner, Tilman Maurer, Henning Jansen, Christian-Hendrik Heeger, Micaela Ebert, Tilmann Dahme, Victoria Johnson, Daniel Steven","doi":"10.1007/s00399-026-01176-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00399-026-01176-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Fluoroscopic orientation remains a fundamental tool in invasive electrophysiology despite the increasing use of three-dimensional mapping. Particularly for early-career electrophysiologists, fluoroscopy is not only a means of catheter navigation but also an important safety tool for rapidly assessing spatial relationships, catheter stability, and potential complications. It continues to provide clear practical information during complex maneuvers such as transseptal puncture, right atrial ablation, atrial fibrillation ablation, and pericardial access. Safe and effective use of fluoroscopy requires specific anatomical and topographical knowledge. Orientation is typically based on defined anatomical landmarks visualized in standard projections. This article provides an overview of the most relevant fluoroscopic landmarks, their appearance and localization on fluoroscopic imaging, and the standard views commonly used in electrophysiological procedures.</p>","PeriodicalId":52403,"journal":{"name":"Herzschrittmachertherapie und Elektrophysiologie","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149138925","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"[Psychocardiology-When cardiac rhythm meets psychological experience : Why cardiac arrhythmias elicit a psychological response].","authors":"Corinna Pfeiffer","doi":"10.1007/s00399-026-01172-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00399-026-01172-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Psychocardiology connects the biological reality of cardiovacular diseases with the subjective experience of the patient. In cases of cardiac arrhythmias, this relationship is particularly evident: cardiac arrhythmias are measurable electrophysiological events but they are also subjectively perceived, emotionally evaluated and embedded in a patient's biography. The objective burden of arrhythmia does not always correlate with the degree of subjective suffering. Although modern electrophysiology provides highly differentiated diagnostic and interventional treatment options, the question of the individual experience of illness often remains secondary. This article discusses cardiac arrhythmias from a psychocardiological and psychosomatic perspective. It focuses on the heart-brain axis, the role of anxiety, depression, hypervigilance and illness perception as well as atrial fibrillation as a model of a biopsychosocial disorder. In addition, the heart is considered as a special organ where its activity can be directly perceived and is culturally associated with life, safety, identity and vulnerability. Psychocardiology is not understood as psychologizing cardiac disease but as an integrative clinical attitude that takes both biological findings and subjective experience seriously.</p>","PeriodicalId":52403,"journal":{"name":"Herzschrittmachertherapie und Elektrophysiologie","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149009384","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Breitkomplextachykardien – von der EKG-Diagnose zur Therapie.","authors":"C Veltmann, S Richter","doi":"10.1007/s00399-026-01171-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00399-026-01171-4","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":52403,"journal":{"name":"Herzschrittmachertherapie und Elektrophysiologie","volume":"37 3","pages":"269-270"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148815031","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Stela Paradzik, Harilaos Bogossian, Sebastian Robl, Konstantinos Iliodromitis
{"title":"[Extrasystoles in endurance athletes].","authors":"Stela Paradzik, Harilaos Bogossian, Sebastian Robl, Konstantinos Iliodromitis","doi":"10.1007/s00399-026-01159-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00399-026-01159-0","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":52403,"journal":{"name":"Herzschrittmachertherapie und Elektrophysiologie","volume":" ","pages":"333-337"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148363893","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Julian Wolfes, Christian Ellermann, Gerrit Frommeyer, Lars Eckardt
{"title":"[Diagnostic and prognostic value of the resting ECG in structural heart disease].","authors":"Julian Wolfes, Christian Ellermann, Gerrit Frommeyer, Lars Eckardt","doi":"10.1007/s00399-026-01160-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00399-026-01160-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The 12-lead resting electrocardiogram (ECG) remains a central tool in the diagnosis and risk stratification of structural heart disease despite significant advances in cardiac imaging. This review highlights the role of the resting ECG in ischemic cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), including its differentiation from cardiac sarcoidosis, as well as in genetically determined forms of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and nondilated left ventricular cardiomyopathy (NDLVC). Characteristic electrocardiographic patterns not only facilitate identification of the underlying myocardial substrate but also provide prognostically relevant information regarding arrhythmic events and sudden cardiac death. Particularly in genetic cardiomyopathies, electrical abnormalities may precede overt structural manifestations, thereby enabling early phenotypic characterization. Despite the limited sensitivity of individual parameters, the resting ECG remains a widely available, cost-effective, and clinically highly relevant instrument that constitutes an integral component of contemporary guideline recommendations.</p>","PeriodicalId":52403,"journal":{"name":"Herzschrittmachertherapie und Elektrophysiologie","volume":" ","pages":"301-311"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148450351","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Victoria Johnson, Stefan Winter, Leon Iden, Till Althoff, Christian-Hendrik Heeger, Andreas Rillig, Arian Sultan, Micaela Ebert, David Duncker, Sascha Rolf, Henning Jansen, Tilman Maurer, Daniel Steven
{"title":"[Perioperative complications during transvenous pacemaker and defibrillator implantation].","authors":"Victoria Johnson, Stefan Winter, Leon Iden, Till Althoff, Christian-Hendrik Heeger, Andreas Rillig, Arian Sultan, Micaela Ebert, David Duncker, Sascha Rolf, Henning Jansen, Tilman Maurer, Daniel Steven","doi":"10.1007/s00399-026-01157-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00399-026-01157-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Despite major advances in cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) and implantation techniques, perioperative complications remain clinically relevant. Reported rates of relevant complications after transvenous CIED implantation range from 2 to 11% and may adversely affect patient outcomes. Major complications include access-related vascular injuries, venous thrombosis, pneumothorax and hemothorax, and cardiac complications such as lead perforation or tricuspid valve dysfunction, lead dislodgement, unrecognized malposition of the right ventricular lead in the left ventricle, arrhythmias, pocket hematoma, and device-related infections. This article provides a structured overview of the most relevant perioperative complications associated with CIED implantation. Practical strategies for prevention, early detection, and appropriate management of these complications are also discussed. Given the increasing number of procedures, the growing complexity of device systems, and the rising proportion of multimorbid patients, meticulous procedural planning and strict adherence to preventive measures are essential to improve safety and clinical outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":52403,"journal":{"name":"Herzschrittmachertherapie und Elektrophysiologie","volume":" ","pages":"352-360"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148206942","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"[Management of wide QRS complex tachycardia : From acute treatment to long-term prevention].","authors":"Vera Maslova, Evgeny Lian","doi":"10.1007/s00399-026-01169-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00399-026-01169-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Wide QRS complex tachycardia is among the most common and clinically relevant arrhythmia emergencies. Its differential diagnosis is often perceived as challenging but can be reduced to a single pathophysiological principle.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This review presents a structured concept for the diagnosis and management of wide QRS complex tachycardia, from the acute setting to long-term recurrence prevention.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The QRS complex is wide only when conduction does not proceed through the His-Purkinje system, yielding three scenarios: ventricular tachycardia, supraventricular tachycardia with aberrancy, and pre-excited tachycardia. Acute management depends on hemodynamic stability; long-term prevention comprises pharmacotherapy, device therapy, and catheter ablation.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Wide QRS complex tachycardia differential diagnosis is less complex than commonly perceived when the underlying principle is understood. Novel ablation techniques expand options in selected cases.</p>","PeriodicalId":52403,"journal":{"name":"Herzschrittmachertherapie und Elektrophysiologie","volume":" ","pages":"280-287"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148702543","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"[Basics in the EP lab-how and when to pace?]","authors":"Ann-Kathrin Kahle, Christian Meyer","doi":"10.1007/s00399-026-01153-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00399-026-01153-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Electrical stimulation is a central tool in the evaluation and management of arrhythmias in the electrophysiological laboratory. Targeted atrial and ventricular pacing maneuvers allow induction, mechanistic characterization, and termination of arrhythmias. This provides important insights into the involved conduction pathways, anatomical location, and the underlying arrhythmogenic substrate, thereby forming the basis for a tailored ablation strategy. A structured approach even prior to the first stimulation maneuver establishes the foundation for successful diagnosis and therapy (ensuring stable catheter positions, optimal signal quality, and reliable capture). Understanding fundamental principles such as incremental, programmed, burst and overdrive stimulation is essential for accurate interpretation of electrophysiological responses. The consolidation of knowledge over the past three decades has helped ensure that, today, a few key maneuvers are usually sufficient to enable a rapid and reliable diagnosis. These play a key role in differentiating regular narrow-complex tachycardias, distinguishing wide-complex tachycardias, and identifying reentrant vs. nonreentrant mechanisms. They are also indispensable for assessing procedural endpoints after ablation, including confirmation of noninducibility of the clinical tachycardia or successful pulmonary vein isolation. The present review further outlines practical solutions to common challenges such as inconsistent pacing responses, far-field signals, and nonreproducible arrhythmia induction. Overall, systematic application of pacing maneuvers enables precise mechanistic classification of tachycardias and significantly contributes to safe, efficient, and individualized electrophysiological therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":52403,"journal":{"name":"Herzschrittmachertherapie und Elektrophysiologie","volume":" ","pages":"338-351"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147935464","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}